Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, is bisected by the River Douro. Its allure prompts travellers to prolong their stay. With the help of a Porto travel guide, wander through Ribeiro's historic district, and stroll narrow streets flanked by quaint cafes and boutiques. Explore architectural marvels like UNESCO sites Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar. Experience Porto's delights with Porto tourism.As the days pass in Porto, savour delicious local dishes and slowly take in the city’s beauty to truly enjoy the impressive attractions.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Porto is May-June or SeptemberOctober.Since Porto has a walking culture, these months are ideal for city exploration.

How to reach Porto?

• By air: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is the closest airport that serves both international and domestic flights. The airport has metro and bus services that link it to the city. The airport is approximately 10 km from the city’s centre. Book your flights to Porto
• By train: Since Porto is one of the major cities in Portugal, there are two main railway stations. São Bento Station is right in the heart of the city. From this station, the trains operate to the northern part of the country, like Braga, Viana do Castelo, and Douro. On the other hand, Campanha Train Station mainly focuses on trains that run to the southern part of the country, like Lisbon and neighbouring countries in Europe.
• By road: Getting to Porto by bus is a convenient and cheaper alternative for travellers. The city has two bus terminals. The Park of the Carmelitas bus terminal is located near the São Bento Station. The Casa da Musica bus terminal is located closer to the city centre.

Getting Around

The public transport around Porto is well connected. Although the city has a good walking culture, some sites are too far so it is a good idea to use the public transport system. At Porto, you can get the Porto Card and the Andante Card. The former is a pass for sightseeing, which, along with unlimited use of public transport, gives discounts or free entry to some of the attractions. The Andante Tour Card enables you to use the city buses and metro in Porto for free. However, this card is valid for select number of days.

Indulge in Porto's culinary scene with fresh seafood, hearty Francesinha sandwiches, and delectable pastries at charming cafes and restaurants.

There are many things to do in Porto and most of which include the following: 

The best time to visit Porto is from March to May or September to November, when the weather is mild, and the city has fewer travellers.

The most commonly spoken languages in Porto are Portuguese and English, with Portuguese being the predominant language among locals.

Explore Porto's shopping scene, from bustling markets like Mercado do Bolhão to trendy boutiques and designer stores in Rua de Santa Catarina.

• Bolhão Market: What’s not to like about markets that are located in a historic neoclassical building, sell organic produce, and great street food? To get the essence of true Porto, head to this popular food market and explore different fruits and vegetables, try out the street food, and buy local products that come directly from farms.
• Vandoma Flea Market: This market is located near the Sé Cathedral, along the River Duoro. The reason to visit this flea market is for second-hand and vintage clothing. This flea market comes to life with locals playing music on the street. So, if you want to shop for antique clothes, jewellery, and homeware, come to the Vandoma Flea Market.
• Portobello Market: This market gets its name from the famous Portobello Road Market in London, since they share a similar vibe. This is an open-air market that has everything, from clothing to food, vintage accessories, and handmade goods.
• Urban Market: One of the trendiest markets in Porto is the Urban Market. What defines this market are the irresistible items for sale, like contemporary furniture, antique artwork, home decor, vintage jewellery, and unique clothing.

Apart from discovering Porto's vibrant street art, lively music scene, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming locals, make sure to check out these reasons you need to visit Porto. 

• Old-world Porto: Ribeira, the old part of Porto, is one of the major reasons to visit the city. The buildings, architecture, and winding streets are some of the charming things about Ribeira. It oozes a certain charm as you wander along the cobbled streets. To get a perfect picture of the old city, you can go to the other side of Ribeira to Cais de Gaia.
• Take a boat ride at the River Douro: The River Douro separates the city into two parts and is connected by a number of bridges. Taking a boat ride will give you a chance to witness the city’s landscape and the majestic-looking bridges.
• The Francesinha: The greatest dish that exists is probably the Francesinha. This is a traditional Portuguese sandwich from the city of Porto. It is made with bread, wet-cured ham, linguiça, chipolata, roast meat, and garnished with melted cheese. This is a must-try when in the city.

Looking forward to your Porto vacation but trying to figure out how to apply for a Portugal visa? Then you need to visit our Schengen visa page for detailed information. But why do you need a Schengen visa and not a Portugal visa? This is because Portugal is a part of the Schengen Area and it is also a member of the European Union. Through this visa, the visitor is allowed to enter the country for a short-stay of 90 days.

To ensure a hassle-free and seamless travel, here is a detailed information about the Portugal visa – www.goindigo.in/information/visa-information/portugal-pt-visa.html

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